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[CLKD]

Daffodils have recovered from the heavy snow last week.  Those in the sun are bobbing gently in the breeze.

[CLKD]

Sadly - we have found 5 chaffinches dead around the garden, 2 were female  .  I have sterilised the feeders etc., taken most away and letting the birds feed elsewhere ........

We also have had 2 goldfish die.  One had been attacked by the heron in July and survived until it got trapped in the ice last week, another came to the surface today ............

Otherwise, birds singing; nesting; collecting food for females on the nests 

[Taz2]

What a shame about the chaffinches. Do you think it was Trichomonosis? Were they showing any symptoms? Sorry about the fish too.

Taz x

[Hurdity]

There were 10 buzzards circling high overhead early this afternoon being mobbed by gulls - the group moved away. My husband though they might be honey buzzards on the move? They weren't calling or mewing at all.

Hurdity x

[CLKD]

Honey buzzards I think are on mainland Europe.   

Buzzards don't usually flock in such numbers.  Red kites however especially if there is food available at specific times.  Most birds of prey will be mobbed by the crow family.

Taz - none showed signs of disease.  The feathers were in good condition.   I keep the areas around the feeders as clean as possible and these died after I'd given everything a Very Good Cleaning.  Two were found on the neighbours roof and they were thought to have flown into the window.

Fish - the 1 found yesterday is probably over 10 years old, may have been shocked by the heron last Summer or couldn't cope with the changes of temp in the water.  I always feel so helpless!

[CLKD]

BUMBLE BEES - lots of, in lovely Sunday sunshine 

[Hurdity]

Honey buzzards breed here I gather (the area around here) but I think it's too early for them.
https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/honey-buzzard

Yes it was great to see a large group of buzzards in the sky - haven't seen more than 10 at once circling before - although we often see 5 or 6 - presumably family groups as they breed all over the place round here and just down the road a few miles one winter I saw 23 feeding in a field - in fact think I posted on here about it!

Also we often see gulls around birds of prey - well the buzzards anyway - and we don't have red kites - at least not in the immediate vicinity although they are sometimes seen in this county. I always get so excited when I go up country and see one!

Hurdity x

[Taz2]

I get very blasé about our population of Red Kites Hurdity.  I really should appreciate them more! Almost ran one over on the way to work today as a rabbit had been killed on the road and two were trying to pull what they could off it. They don't seem to take off as fast as buzzards.

Taz x

[CLKD]

We lived in Wales when red kites were re-introduced.  Seeing one still causes me to be pleased but they really do not need feeding any more.  They have integrated without problems. 

Tnx Hurdity, I kept thinking about looking for honey buzzard info but kept forgetting 

I forget to say: LOTS of bees on our hellebores and heather plants all of Sunday, it was warm, calm and sunny  .  I really would like a hive in the garden ......

[Taz2]

You wont want a Honey Buzzard if you are going to keep bees... lol.

Taz  x

[CLKD]

 

SO cold but the daffs are bravely bouncing around across the Fens. 

[CLKD]

Bugga - 3 hedgehogs seen, all dead  .  They couldn't have been out of hibernation for very long 

No idea if our huts have 'hogs in situ ...... I am so tempted to bang on the roofs 

[Taz2]

How big were they and were they together?

Taz 

[CLKD]

Nope.  On various roads, squashed - across Norfolk.  About the size of a soup bowl .........

[Taz2]

I thought you meant they were just found dead as in disease.

Taz x